Scout Finch

The narrator and protagonist of the story. Jean Louise “Scout” Finch lives with her father, Atticus,
her brother, Jem, and their black cook, Calpurnia, in Maycomb. She is intelligent and, by the
standards of her time and place, a tomboy. Scout has a combative streak and a basic faith in the
goodness of the people in her community. As the novel progresses, this faith is tested by the
hatred and prejudice that emerge during Tom Robinson’s trial. Scout eventually develops a more
grown-up perspective that enables her to appreciate human goodness without ignoring human
evil.

Atticus Finch

Scout and Jem’s father, a lawyer in Maycomb descended from an old local family. A widower with
a dry sense of humor, Atticus has instilled in his children his strong sense of morality and justice.
He is one of the few residents of Maycomb committed to racial equality. When he agrees to
defend Tom Robinson, a black man charged with raping a white woman, he exposes himself and
his family to the anger of the white community. With his strongly held convictions, wisdom, and
empathy, Atticus functions as the novel’s moral backbone.

Jem Finch

Scout’s brother and constant playmate at the beginning of the story. Jeremy Atticus “Jem” Finch is
something of a typical American boy, refusing to back down from dares and fantasizing about
playing football. Four years older than Scout, he gradually separates himself from her games, but
he remains her close companion and protector throughout the novel. Jem moves into adolescence
during the story, and his ideals are shaken badly by the evil and injustice that he perceives during
the trial of Tom Robinson.

Arthur “Boo” Radley

A recluse who never sets foot outside his house, Boo dominates the imaginations of Jem, Scout,
and Dill. He is a powerful symbol of goodness swathed in an initial shroud of creepiness, leaving
little presents for Scout and Jem and emerging at an opportune moment to save the children. An
intelligent child emotionally damaged by his cruel father, Boo provides an example of the threat
that evil poses to innocence and goodness. He is one of the novel’s “mockingbirds,” a good person
injured by the evil of mankind.
Bob Ewell

A drunken, mostly unemployed member of Maycomb’s poorest family. In his knowingly wrongful
accusation that Tom Robinson raped his daughter, Ewell represents the dark side of the South:
ignorance, poverty, squalor, and hate-filled racial prejudice.

Charles Baker “Dill” Harris

Jem and Scout’s summer neighbor and friend. Dill is a diminutive, confident boy with an active
imagination. He becomes fascinated with Boo Radley and represents the perspective of childhood
innocence throughout the novel.

Miss Maudie Atkinson

The Finches’ neighbor, a sharp-tongued widow, and an old friend of the family. Miss Maudie is
almost the same age as Atticus’s younger brother, Jack. She shares Atticus’s passion for justice and
is the children’s best friend among Maycomb’s adults.

Calpurnia

The Finches’ black cook. Calpurnia is a stern disciplinarian and the children’s bridge between the
white world and her own black community.

Aunt Alexandra

Atticus’s sister, a strong-willed woman with a fierce devotion to her family. Alexandra is the
perfect Southern lady, and her commitment to propriety and tradition often leads her to clash
with Scout.

Mayella Ewell

Bob Ewell’s abused, lonely, unhappy daughter. Though one can pity Mayella because of her
overbearing father, one cannot pardon her for her shameful indictment of Tom Robinson.

Tom Robinson

The black field hand accused of rape. Tom is one of the novel’s “mockingbirds,” an important
symbol of innocence destroyed by evil.

Link Deas
 Tom Robinson’s employer. In his willingness to look past race and praise the integrity of Tom’s
character, Deas epitomizes the opposite of prejudice.

Mrs. Henry Lafayette Dubose

An elderly, ill-tempered, racist woman who lives near the Finches. Although Jem believes that Mrs.
Dubose is a thoroughly bad woman, Atticus admires her for the courage with which she battles her
morphine addiction.

Nathan Radley

Boo Radley’s older brother. Scout thinks that Nathan is similar to the deceased Mr. Radley, Boo
and Nathan’s father. Nathan cruelly cuts off an important element of Boo’s relationship with Jem
and Scout when he plugs up the knothole in which Boo leaves presents for the children.

Heck Tate

The sheriff of Maycomb and a major witness at Tom Robinson’s trial. Heck is a decent man who
tries to protect the innocent from danger.

Mr. Underwood

The publisher of Maycomb’s newspaper. Mr. Underwood respects Atticus and proves his ally.

Mr. Dolphus Raymond

A wealthy white man who lives with his black mistress and mulatto children. Raymond pretends to
be a drunk so that the citizens of Maycomb will have an explanation for his behavior. In reality, he
is simply jaded by the hypocrisy of white society and prefers living among blacks.

Mr. Walter Cunningham

A poor farmer and part of the mob that seeks to lynch Tom Robinson at the jail. Mr. Cunningham
displays his human goodness when Scout’s politeness compels him to disperse the men at the jail.

Walter Cunningham

Son of Mr. Cunningham and classmate of Scout. Walter cannot afford lunch one day at school and
accidentally gets Scout in trouble.